Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

Volkswagen changes charging system for electric vehicles

Volkswagen new stategy for electric vehicles

Pre-reading questions: Do you own a car? If yes, kindly describe it. If no, what car brand do you want to buy? What car brand is famous in Japan? Vocabulary: strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] a detailed plan to achieve something or reach a goal The basketball team coach’s strategy won them the game. mobile /MOH-buhl/ [adjective] something that can be easily moved The old lady sits on a mobile chair every morning. exploit /EK-sploit/ [verb] to use something in a way to help someone or oneself People must exploit every opportunity to learn more and new things. accommodate /uh-KOM-uh-deyt/ [verb] to give what is needed to something or someone The new…
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Zora: A robot with a heart

Zora a robot with a heart

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you want to have a caregiver when you get old? Why or why not? Which do you like, a talking robot or a flying robot? Vocabulary: companion /kuhm-PAN-yuhn/ [noun] a person you spend a lot of time with Her high school best friend has been her companion whenever she travels abroad. affection /uh-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] a feeling of liking for a person or place John didn’t feel any affection when he saw his biological father for the first time. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] important or noticeable There are significant changes in the new management after the replacement of the president. encourage /en-KUR-ij/ [verb] to make someone more likely to…
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Japan’s ministry plans to use a speech translation application

Japan's ministry plans to use a speech translation application

Pre-reading questions: What are the languages that you know? Do you want to learn a foreign language? Why or why not? Vocabulary: application /ap-li-KEY-shuhn/ [noun] a computer program that is designed for a particular purpose Anyone can download applications on their phone. database /DEY-tuh-beys/ [noun] a large amount of information stored in a computer system They put a password to ensure the security of the database. provide /pruh-VAHYD/ [verb] to give someone something that they need The people provided relief goods for the people. translate /trans-LEYT/ [verb] to change words into a different language They used internet to translate all the words in English. quality /KWOL-i-tee/ [noun] a characteristic of…
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Google Maps adds a new feature for daily passengers

Google Maps adds new feature for daily passengers

Pre-reading questions: Do you like using Google Maps? Why or why not? Which do you ride more often, buses or trains? Why? Vocabulary: convenient /kuhn-VEEN-yuhn/ [adjective] something that causes less difficulty Going to the library on foot would be more convenient than waiting for the bus. commute /kuh-MYOOT/ [noun] a travel between work and home The commute to my work takes at least an hour and a half. predict /pri-DIKT/ [verb] to say that something will happen in the future We cannot predict what will happen next week so let’s be prepared. enable /en-EY-buhl/ [verb] to make something possible The software update will enable us to see who viewed our…
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AI robots to start teaching English in Japan by 2019

AI robots to start teaching English in Japan by 2019

Pre-reading questions: Do you like the English language? Is learning English difficult for you? Why or why not? Vocabulary: aim /eym/ [verb] to plan for a specific purpose I aim to become the best writer of this generation. improve /im-PROOV/ [verb] to get better, or to make something better She promised to improve her reading skills. oral /OHR-uhl/ [adjective] spoken; not written They did not do well in their oral presentation. trial /Y-uhl/ [noun] a test, usually over a limited period of time The trial project was opposed by the people. require /ri-KWAHYUHR/ [verb] to order or demand something I require you to always wear your ID when you are…
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Facebook stops discriminatory ads

Facebook stops discriminatory ads

Pre-reading questions: Do you like Facebook? Why or Why not? What do you think are the advantages of social media? Vocabulary: prejudice /PREJ-uh-dis/ [noun] an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling The scenes of this movie have a lot of prejudices among Asian people. accuse /uh-KYOOZ/ [verb] to say that someone is responsible for a crime or for having done something wrong My friend was accused of stealing money from our teacher but it is not true. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [adjective] possible when the necessary conditions exist Jessica gives her business card to her potential client. policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] a set of ideas or a plan that needs to be followed…
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Drones to help Japanese farmers

Drones to help Japanese farmers

Pre-reading questions: How is farming done in your country? What is your opinion about using technology to make every day tasks easier? Vocabulary: test /test/ [verb] an act of doing something to find out if it is working correctly or effectively I need to test my PowerPoint presentation to see if the animations work. average /AV-rij/ [noun] typical or usual The quality of her works is well above average. physical /FIZ-i-kuhl/ [adjective] connected with the body Football is a sport that requires a lot of physical strength. involvement /in-VOLV-ment/ [noun] an act of taking part in something The involvement of every employee is needed for a company to function well….
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What to expect from Apple’s first iOS 12 beta

What to expect from Apple's first iOS 12 beta

Pre-Reading Questions: How often do you use your smartphone? What apps do you have on your smartphone? Vocabulary: operating system /OP-uh-rey-ting SIS-tuhm/ [noun] software that makes other programs and applications usable The virus has damaged the operating system of his computer. feature /FEE-cher/ [noun] an important characteristic, part, or trait of something An interesting feature of this city is its old market. application /ap-li-KEY-shuhn/ [noun] a program designed for a particular purpose You should delete any applications you don’t use anymore. enhancement /en-HANS-ment/ [noun] a change that improves something The image had some enhancements to show more detail. customized /KUHS-tuh-mahyzd/ [adjective] made or changed according to the user’s needs My…
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Google software can now identify ramen by shop

Google software can now identify ramen by shop

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite Japanese food? Why is it your favorite? In your opinion, what restaurant serves the best ramen? Please explain. Vocabulary: data scientist /DEY-tuh SAHY-uhn-tist/ [noun] a person whose job is to collect, analyze, and interpret large amounts of data My father is a data scientist for an international computer company. upload /UHP-lohd/ [verb] to copy information to a larger computer system or to the internet I already uploaded the photos from our trip to Hokkaido. classify /KLAS-uh-fahy/ [verb] to divide things into groups according to type Do you classify your tasks by subject? prediction /pri-DIK-shuhn/ [noun] to identify something based on knowledge or data We…
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More and more people are downloading self-care apps

More and more people are downloading self-care apps

Pre-reading questions: What are the important things to do in order to stay healthy? What kind of apps do you usually use? Vocabulary: altogether /awl-tuh-GETH-er/ [verb] in total There were 2,500 guests altogether at the party. consistent /kuhn-SIS-tuhnt/ [adjective] agreeing, not contradicting She got good marks for her thesis because her data is consistent. reckon /REK-uhn/ [verb] to think that something is probably true I reckon she’ll do well in the exam. self-absorbed /SELF-ab-SAWRBD/ [adjective] caring only about yourself Nobody likes him because he’s rude and self-absorbed. optimist /OP-tuh-mist/ [noun] positive thinker Though he’s having problems at home, Mojo is still an optimist. Self-care apps are gaining popularity in the…
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